1007. Was it one of the grievances set forth in the petition, that you were paid in goods for these herrings, while the Wick fishermen got a larger price in cash?-I don't remember about that. 1008. You say you signed the obligation about eight years ago. Have you ever endeavoured or wished to break through it and to obtain your liberty?-No. 1009. You have never attempted that?-No. 1010. Does that obligation bind your family as well as yourself?- Yes, if they like to do it. 1011. But in the obligation itself did you become bound that your sons as well as yourself should fish for Messrs. Hay?-Yes. 1012. Have had to pay liberty money for any of your sons?-Yes; I had to pay it for one of my sons-Robert Smith. He was two years away. One year he was with Mr. Harrison, and the year following he was with Mr. Garriock, and I paid liberty money in these years to Messrs. Hay on his account. 1013. How long ago was that?-I think it was three years ago. 1014. Then the obligation to fish applied to the Faroe fishing as well as to the home fishing?-Yes; to the whole fishings. 1015. Have you ever had to pay liberty money for your sons leaving the home fishing and going to some other employment?- No; they never followed the home fishing. They would not go to it. 1016. Then, if a man does not choose to go to the home fishing at all, he is free?-Yes. 1017. But if a man does go to the home fishing he is to fish for the landlord?-Yes, if he be a tenant. 1018. But he need not fish unless he likes?-No; it is only if he does fish, and if he is a person holding land, that he must fish for Messrs. Hay. 1019. Or if he is the son of a landholder, and living in his father's house?-Yes. 1020. I believe the liberty money amounts to 20s.?-Yes. 1021. When is it paid?-When we settle. 1022. Is it deducted from the amount due?-Yes. 1023. Do you know of any cases where that liberty money has been paid back by Messrs, Hay?-Yes. 1024. Was it paid back to you?-Yes; it was paid back to me for my son. 1025. Then the money you mentioned just now as having been paid by you for your son was paid back to you?-Yes; it was paid back to me afterwards. 1026. How long afterwards?-I think about a year and a half. 1027. Did you ask for it to be paid back?-Yes; I asked it over and over again before I got it. I think I asked for it two or three times, if I remember right. 1028. Did they give it back to you as a favour?-Yes. 1029. Was the amount of liberty money fixed in the obligation which you signed?-Yes. 1030. Did you get a copy of that obligation?-No. 1031. Have you been spoken to about that obligation since you signed it, and told that it was in force?-Never, except when they charged liberty money. I objected to pay it; and their answer was, that I had signed an obligation to pay it, and therefore that I was obliged to do so. 1032. Do you know any one else who has paid liberty money within the last year or two?-Yes; Andrew Laurenson paid it for his brother.